Luke 18:15

Let the Children Come to Me

15 ¹Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they ²rebuked them.

Luke 18:15 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 18:15

And they brought unto him also infants
As well as grown persons, that were sick, to be healed by him:

that he would touch them;
in order, as some learned men think, to cure them of diseases that attended them; for one of the ways by which Christ healed persons, was by touching them; nor do we read of his touching in common for any other purpose, or of persons desiring him to touch them, or theirs, but for this end; in ( Matthew 19:13 ) it is read, "that he should put his hands on them"; and so the Arabic and Persic versions here read, in order to pray over them, and bless them: but neither in one place, nor the other, is any mention of their baptism, or of their being brought for such a purpose; nor can it be concluded from hence;

but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them;
the persons that brought the infants; (See Gill on Matthew 19:13).

Luke 18:15 In-Context

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

Cross References

• 1. For ver. 15-17, see Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16
• 2. ver. 39